Systemic inflammatory response syndrome score and race as predictors of length of stay in the intensive care unit

Background: Identifying predictors of length of stay in the intensive care unit can help critical care clinicians prioritize care in patients with acute, life-threatening injuries. Objective: To determine if systemic inflammatory response syndrome scores are predictive of length of stay in the intensive care unit in patients with acute, life-threatening injuries. Methods: Retrospective chart reviews were completed on patients with acute, life-threatening injuries admitted to the intensive care unit at a level I trauma center in the southeastern United States. All 246 eligible charts from the trauma registry database from 1998 to 2007 were included. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome scores measured on admission were correlated with length of stay in the intensive care unit. Data on race, sex, age, smoking status, and injury severity score also were collected. Univariate and multivariate regression modeling was used to analyze data. Results: Severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome scores on admission to the intensive care unit were predictive of length of stay in the unit (F=15.83; P<.001), as was white race (F=9.7; P=.002), and injury severity score (F=20.23; P<.001). Conclusions: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome scores can be measured quickly and easily at the bedside. Data support use of the score to predict length of stay in the intensive care unit.